Brimbank Council has committed to the purchase of 100 per cent renewable electricity for its large facilities, small facilities and street lights through the Local Government Power Purchasing Agreement.
The agreement will allow Council to take control of the energy supply component of its electricity costs to secure better prices and price assurance into the future.
Mayor of Brimbank, Cr Lucinda Congreve said this is the single biggest initiative Council can take to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and meet its 2023 emissions reduction target.
"It's important we create a more sustainable Brimbank through programs that not only benefit the environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but also deliver cost savings to our community.
"Our Revised Greenhouse Reduction Strategy 2013-2023 targets a 50 per cent reduction in our 2011 greenhouse emissions by 2023.
"Since 2013, we've reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 32 per cent – which means we are well on track towards our target.
"We've been able to achieve this through a number of projects, including street lighting changeover to LED lights, energy efficiency upgrades and installing solar energy systems in Council facilities.
"These projects have helped us reduce emissions and also reduce resource use and costs.
"The Power Purchasing Agreement will help further shape our transition to a low carbon city. This initiative also aligns with Council's declaration of a climate emergency."
"We're determined to continue our drive to support climate change action and our residents in Brimbank."
Councils are required to commit to the tendering process for the Power Purchase Agreement by early August 2019. The tender process will then be undertaken between August and December 2019.
A contract agreement between Brimbank City Council and the successful party will need to be executed by late January 2020.
